Sinn Féin - On Your Side

Sinn Fein to address international panel of jurists

Sinn Fein North Antrim MLA Philip McGuigan will speak to a panel of Eminent
International Jurists tonight, Wednesday19th April, in the Wellington Park
Hotel, Belfast at 7.30 pm. The role of the ICJ Jurists Panel is to examine
how states across the world uphold international human rights standards and
to ensure that the legal and 'security' response of all states to any threat
is compatible with international human rights standards. It is part of a
scrutiny mechanism of human rights practitioners whose Global Reports
provide leverage to compel governments and other state agencies to take
measures to ensure they comply with international human rights standards.

Mr
McGuigan will tell the panel that both the British and Irish governments,
but particularly the British government have and continue to use methods,
laws and policies that undermine international human rights standards.

Speaking
ahead of the event organised by the Committee on the Administration of
Justice (CAJ) Mr McGuigan said:

"It is clear that across the
island that both the British and Irish governments have operated a framework
of repressive measures that have undermine humans rights. Both governments,
but principally the British government have introduced policies and
legislation which breach international human rights standards and undermine
democracy. British rule has been premised on;

Repressive legislation

No-jury Diplock courts

Internment - imprisonment without charge or trial

Torture

Political discrimination

Shoot-to-kill

The policy of collusion

State sponsored murder

"The primary responsibility and duty
is on the state to ensure that its response to any threat is measured,
appropriate and compatible with human rights standards at all times.

"
The protracted conflict here in the North of Ireland was a direct
consequence of the denial of national self determination and repressive
British rule in Ireland. Unionists in government mirrored that same policy
of denying to Irish nationalists in the North their civil and political
rights for over 50 years.

"The British government has acted
outside both domestic and international law to commit acts of violence and
murder against persons and against the Irish nation itself. It is within
this context that other violent responses from non-state organisations and
players have to be considered.

"The Peace Process has delivered
real progress but the fact is that both the structures and legislation that
breach international human rights standards remain in place and need to be
removed." ENDS